GRIEVING families unable to attend their loved one's funeral on the Isle of Wight could soon be charged to watch the service remotely.

A fee for the discretionary service is included in the Isle of Wight Council's proposed budget for 2022/23 and it could be introduced from April.

The Isle of Wight Council has been offering the private online streaming of funerals since May 2020 when it installed a camera and software to do so.

It became crucial when the number of mourners allowed to attend was restricted, due to the Covid pandemic, but it was offered for free.

According to the papers, £30,000 will be made from the live streaming charge, helping meet the £3 million savings required in the budget.

The leading Alliance group argues the fee proposed is in line with the national average.

Other councils across the country, including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) and Rochdale in Manchester, have already introduced or will introduce in the coming months, a £30 fee for the optional funeral webcast.

The authority has been approached for comment and for more information.

UPDATE: Read how much the charge will be and what the Isle of Wight Council says about it here.

Read more about the Isle of Wight Council's budget proposals here: Housing and schools investment and fees hike in proposed budget